Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise? 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 Who shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard. 37 So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 38 And it was said to the people, “Have you (also) gathered?” 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: "Of course - shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win? 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 [And] Moses said unto them: "Throw whatever you are going to throw!" 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 Then Moses cast his staff and lo, it forthwith swallowed up their lying invention; 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, bowing themselves. 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron' 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you all together.' 49 They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 We hope that our Lord will forgive us for our sins; we were not believers at first." 51